Hello. I'm Bullseye Bill, and I am a beeoholic.
It started innocently enough, I was a bit curious, my sister in law offered me a peek into a hive of hers. It didn't take too much, we pulled a couple of frames and saw brood, and the smell, I'll never forget the smell. Intoxicating, and addictive, I was hooked.
I started out with just one hive and little to no equipment. My fear kept me from bothering them much the first year. Then came the second year, and they made honey. Oh that sweet nectar of life gripped me, I had to have more.
I ordered two more packages and they grew and produced, but I lost the first. I knew that I must have more, even more.
The next year it was four packages and two nucs. The golden rush was unstoppable, I was totally overcome in my new addiction. All my money was spent on even more equipment, more hives, and more bees!
Soon I was gathering swarms from any source I could find. I would drive for miles chasing the brown and black clusters that drew me, called to me. But it wasn't enough, I had to have more! I started ripping them out of buildings, scouring the woods for trees that harbored the soft and fuzzy creatures. I coveted my new found treasurers, I protected them and provided for them.
Now all my income was spent on equipment to provide shelter for the homeless swarms and the misplaced colonies. Soon I was removing them four days a week from all over the area, and caring for my charges on weekends.
My addiction grew and grew until all my time was consumed by the keeping of bees. Soon I had no time for the things I loved in life. I sold my horse, no time to fish, no time to hike, no time to hunt. Er, no, strike that, I still hunt. I even sold my Harley and bought a John Deere Gator for working the bees! Well, OK, I kept one of the Harley's, you got to draw the line somewhere.
I need this support group, I need to know that I am not alone. My addiction has grown to well over 100 hives, is there no end? I'm sorry I have to leave the meeting early, but I have another pile of boxes to assemble in the garage.